French expatriates grapple with crowded beaches in Israel and Spain

In Netanya, Israel, French Jews dominate the beach scene, speaking French from umbrellas to the water's edge. The author describes a bustling shoreline filled with parasols, inflatable unicorns and a lively French-speaking community, noting the cultural contrast with France.

In Barcelona, Spain, French expatriates who moved for sun and sea find the city's beaches overly noisy, crowded and tourist‑filled. Interviews with residents such as Edouard, a sales engineer, reveal that many now avoid the sand or relocate to quieter nearby towns, while a few, like Marion, accept the bustle as part of the experience.